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Diary entry by Jeanette Schenker September 30, 1936
{118}
30. IX. ⇧ Das war 25 mal unser Apfeltag, – an diesem Tag vor 26 Jahren bin ich um 10h abends in Wien angekommen – ich trage die Meraner Cypressen-Zweiglein zum Grab, finde die Birke lebend, frage in der Friedhofgärtnerei nach einem Winterschütz für das zarte Bäumchen – die Beamtin lächelt. – –
[Conclusion of Travel Diary]
Viel gesehen, viel gehört, u. manches auch bedacht – das große Rätsel Tod – – kein Sterblicher wird je auch nur einen Zipfel des Schleiers heben[.] 1 — © Transcription William Drabkin, 2024 |
{118}
September 30 ⇧ That was the 25th anniversary of our “Apple Day”: on this day, twenty-six years ago, I arrived in Vienna at 10 o’clock in the evening. I bring the cypress branches from Merano to the grave, find that the birch tree is alive, and ask the clerk in the cemetery nursery about a winter protection for the tender sapling: she smiles. – –
[Conclusion of Travel
Diary]
I saw a great deal, heard a great deal, and contemplated much. But the great mystery – Death – is something from which no mortal being will ever lift so much as a corner of its veil. 1 — © Translation William Drabkin, 2024 |
{118}
30. IX. ⇧ Das war 25 mal unser Apfeltag, – an diesem Tag vor 26 Jahren bin ich um 10h abends in Wien angekommen – ich trage die Meraner Cypressen-Zweiglein zum Grab, finde die Birke lebend, frage in der Friedhofgärtnerei nach einem Winterschütz für das zarte Bäumchen – die Beamtin lächelt. – –
[Conclusion of Travel Diary]
Viel gesehen, viel gehört, u. manches auch bedacht – das große Rätsel Tod – – kein Sterblicher wird je auch nur einen Zipfel des Schleiers heben[.] 1 — © Transcription William Drabkin, 2024 |
{118}
September 30 ⇧ That was the 25th anniversary of our “Apple Day”: on this day, twenty-six years ago, I arrived in Vienna at 10 o’clock in the evening. I bring the cypress branches from Merano to the grave, find that the birch tree is alive, and ask the clerk in the cemetery nursery about a winter protection for the tender sapling: she smiles. – –
[Conclusion of Travel
Diary]
I saw a great deal, heard a great deal, and contemplated much. But the great mystery – Death – is something from which no mortal being will ever lift so much as a corner of its veil. 1 — © Translation William Drabkin, 2024 |
Footnotes1 This paragraph counterbalances Jeanette’s statement in the introduction to this Travel Diary: “I must come to terms with the puzzle called “Death” and believe that I shall succeed most quickly when there is nothing to see around me, except for water and the sky above.” |